Spine and Spinal Disorders

He is working as Assistant Neurosurgeon in the University of Rome “Sapienza”, and he is the member of AANS, NASS, EANS, AOSpine

Pier Paolo Mura is an orthopedic specialist in scoliosis and an expert in spinal surgery. He also serves as a professor at La Sapienza University of Rome, Polo Pontino and Chair in Orthopedics contract. He is specialized in Orthopedics and Traumatology and diagnostic radiology. He is the Director of the Department of Orthopedics; and Founder and Director of the Unit Complex Spine Surgery Center and Scoliosis Surgery Section. He is the Head of Unit of Orthopaedics and Regional Delegate of the Italian Society of Spine Surgery GIS (Italian Scoliosis Group) as well as an active member of SRS (Scoliosis Research Society). He is also Scientific Director of the research project on biomaterials in spine surgery at the Science and Technology Park in Pula.

Koichi Iwatsuki currently working as an Associate Professor in Department of Neurosurgery at Osaka University Medical School. He graduated from Faculty of Medicine at University of Tokushima. Dr. Koichi Iwatsuki was an Board certified physician by the Japan Neurosurgical Society, Councilor and editor of the Japan Society for Laser Surgery and Medicine, followed by Instructor certified by the Japanese Society for Spinal Surgery.

Dr. Barbara Spacca graduated in Medicine and Surgery at the University of Perugia and specialized in neurosurgery at the University of Florence.Shee has worked in research and clinical neurosurgery at the Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool (UK), the Hospital of Pediatrics "JP Garrahan" Buenos Aires (Argentina) and the Great Ormond Street Hospital, London (UK) and at the Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Liverpool (UK).Since 2010 is part the structure of Neurosurgery AOU Meyer.

Satish Kalidindi is working as a Neurosurgeon in Manipal Super Speciality Hospital Visakhapatnam, Chennai. He is presently associated with Manipal Hospital Visakhapatnam, Caring Hands Neuro Centre, Visakhapatnam and St Joseph Hospital, Visakhapatnam as Consultant Neurosurgeon. Dr Satish is also the Head of Paediatric Neurosurgery Department at Omni RK Hospital and Managing Director at Sphere Hospitals Private Limited, Visakhapatnam. He is currently the Director and Chief Spine Surgeon at Caring Hands Trauma Centre, Visakhapatnam. Dr Satish has more than 12 years experience in the field of Neurosurgery. Dr Satish Kalidindi is a qualified MBBS and has done DIplomate of National Board in Neurosurgery.

Prof. Majid Reza Farrokhi, now Professor of Neurosurgery and Head of Shiraz Neuroscience Research Center in Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, completed his Specialty Degree in Neurosurgery in 1996 and Fellowship of Spine Surgery at Innsbruck University in 2004. He has been the Vice President of Iranian Board of Examiners in Neurosurgery since 2012 and served as the Chairman of Neurosurgery Department of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in 2011-2014, Head of Fars and South of Iran AO-Spine Society in 2002-2005, and dean of Medical School, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences in 1996-1998. He has published more than 35 papers in reputed journals and 2 books and led several research projects. His investigations have been focused in spine.

Marco Bortoluzzi is the National Coordinator of the Section of Spine Surgery of the Italian Society of Neurosurgery.Member of the Technical Committee on spinal implants - Section V Health Council;Coordinator of the National Protocol on Inter Specialistico Prophylaxis in Spine surgery and guidelines in treatment of Spondylodiscitis.He carried out his professional career at universities and hospital of eminent national and international institutes.He worked as academic teaching at the University of Brescia in the Degree in Medicine and Surgery in the Course of Human Physiology for the teaching of Physiology of the Nervous System stand-alone; in the School of Specialization in Neurosurgery, Sports Medicine, and Psychiatry; in the course of Diploma in Nursing Science and Physiotherapy. He is author of 156 scientific publications. He has performed as more than 8,000 surgeries in all areas of the cranial and spinal neurosurgical pathology. He was speaker, moderator, discussant in over 120 conferences and national and international scientific symposiums.He is the reviewer of leading international scientific journals. He is a member of: • Italian Society of Neurosurgery • Italian Society of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Neuroradiology Hospital • Italian Society of Cranial Base • Italian Society of Neurosonology.

Miguel JA Láinez was born August 25, 1955 in Navarrete, Teruel, Spain.House officer La Fe Hospital, Valencia, Spain, 1980-1983; member staff General Hospital, Spain, 1984-1989, head clinic Spain, 1989—1999; associate professor school medicine University Valencia, since 1988, chairman department neurology, since 1999; Author: Practical Neurology, 1990; editor: Cerebrovascular Disease, 1988, Intrecerebral Hematomas, 1990, Subaracnoid Hemorrage, 1993, Headaches, 1993, Management in Neurology, 1995, Headaches: Diagnosis and Treatment, 1996; editor: Management in Neurology, Migraine, 1999

Duccio Boscherini is a fully trained neurosurgeon in Switzerland, USA, Belgium and Italy. He has years of experience in spinal and cranial surgery guided by intraoperative imaging and navigation techniques. In 2008, Dr. Boscherini was the first neurosurgeon to introduce O-arm™ imaging in surgical procedures in Switzerland. Duccio became a medical doctor in 1992, completed his neurosurgical training program in 2000 and pursued a clinical spinal fellowship. He was co-chairman of the neurosurgery unit in Lugano, Switzerland from 2007 to 2011. Dr. Boscherini is currently an associate neurosurgeon at the Clinique de La Source in Lausanne, and consultant neurosurgeon at the University Hospitals of Geneva. He is also a key opinion leader in spinal surgery and a member of several scientific societies in the US and in Europe. Duccio has numerous publications and participates in spine pathologies, biomaterials and computer-assisted surgery research projects.

Sheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar-Doctorate of Medicine and specialized diploma in orthopedic surgery and traumatology.

to be updated soon...

Marco Crostelli was born in Rome on 26/10/54, after completing his studies at the College Nazareno in Rome, he enrolled in the degree course in Medicine and Surgery at the University of Rome "La Sapienza "graduating the 11/08/1979 in five years and two sessions, getting full marks (110/110 cum laude). On 28.11.1983 he received his diploma of Specialist in Orthopedics and Traumatology with full marks (70/70) at the University of Rome "La Sapienza". Since February 1978, he joined the department scoliosis at the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology direct from Prof.Monticelli, where he carried out assiduous operating activities, departmental and research.

Massimiliano VISOCCHI is Associate Professor in Neurosurgery at the Catholic University of Rome Italy and Visiting Professor at the Shanghai University (China) since 2012. Director of the Special Course and the Second degree level Master in Surgery of CranioVertebral Junction at the Catholic University of Rome Italy. Founder of the Research Center in Surgery of CranioVertebral Junction Catholic University of Rome Italy. President of the International Societies of Reconstructive Neurosurgery (ISRN), former President of 2National Scientific Societies (SINSEC: Società Italiana di Neurosonologia ed Emodinamica Cerebrale- Gruppo di Studio di Emodinamica Cerebrale della Società Italiana di Neurochirurgia). Member of 13 International and 9 National Scientific Societies. Member of the Board of 2 National and 2 International Societies. Chairman, Board Organizing Committee Member and Invited Speaker in more than 120 International and National Courses and Congresses. Author of more than 300 papers, Author of 4 monographic books and Editor of 3 Monographic Issues of Indexed Peer Reviewed Journals. Member of Continuing Educational Committee (ECM) of the Italian Health Ministery. Member of the Editorial Board of 7 International Peer reviewed Indexed Journals and 2 national; Referee of 30 International Indexed Peer Reviewed Journals and 4 nationals. Winner of INS Award 1996 (Orlando Fl USA) on Neuromodulation of Cerebral Blood Flow and of the Shanghai University Award in 2012 on Cranio-Vertebral Junction Surgery.

Dr. Jaime Gasco-Tamarit is a neurosurgeon in Galveston, Texas. He received his medical degree from Universidad de Valencia. He is currently the Director of Neurosurgery in Valley Care Clinics Neuro-Spine Institute. He was staff neurosurgeon at UnityPoint Health and Assistant professor of neurosurgery at University of Texas Medical Branch.

Edward Taub is a University Professor in the Department of Psychology and is the director of the CI Therapy Research Group and Taub Training Clinic. He received his PhD in psychology from New York University in 1970 under the supervision of Dr. Edgar E. Coons. Dr. Taub is a behavioral neuroscientist who developed a family of techniques — Constraint-Induced Movement therapy (or CI therapy) — that have been shown to be effective in improving the rehabilitation of movement after stroke, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy in young children, multiple sclerosis, and other neurological injuries. He also has developed a form that is efficacious in the treatment of post-stroke aphasia. He is also interested in the study of the nature of the plastic brain reorganization induced by CI therapy and the ways it can be harnessed to produce new treatments in neurorehabilitation. Research with pediatric patients with cerebral palsy and adults with MS is ongoing. Pilot work has begun using a progression of training techniques to enable motor complete tetraplegic patients paralyzed from the neck down to operate their wheelchair by hand movements applied to an armrest-based toggle switch and to feed themselves by raising hand to mouth. Over 600 papers have been published on the effects of CI therapy in its various forms, and the treatment was the subject of the first multi-center randomized clinical trial for upper extremity stroke rehabilitation funded by NIH. Dr. Taub is the recipient of nine national society awards for his research, among them: the 2004 Distinguished Scientific Award for the Application of Psychology of the American Psychological Association and the William James Award of the American Psychological Society (1997). His body of CI therapy research was named by the Society of Neuroscience as one of the top 10 Translational Neuroscience Accomplishments of the 20th century (2003) and one of the 10 “most exciting lines of neuroscience” being carried out (2005). He is past president of the Biofeedback Society of America, has been on the Board of Directors of four scientific societies and is a Past President, Section J (Psychology) of AAAS. The research training in Dr. Taub’s laboratory is based on the Method of Strong Inference: experiments are designed on the basis of “logic trees” and consider multiple alternate hypotheses. Graduate students are strongly encouraged to publish their results. In the past, students have averaged two senior-authored papers, three co-authorships, and multiple society presentations.

Born in Brescia on 19 June 1940, resident in Milan, Italy, in Viale Andrea Doria, Prof. Rovetta graduated with a degree in Electronic Engineering from the Politecnico di Milano on 14 March 1964. Institutional, scientific, national and international Activities In 1980 he was appointed Full Professor in the Group of Machine applied Mechanics with a chair in Robot Mechanics, having previously held the chair in Machine Elements with design at the Politecnico di Milano (Faculty of Engineering). From 1991 he worked as a Professor in Robot Mechanics. From 1991-'92 he taught the Course in "Robot Mechanics" at the Politecnico di Milano (Faculty of Engineering). He also was teaching as Professor some courses in Industrial Design (Degree Course) at the Politecnico di Milano, Faculty of Architecture, where he conducted courses in: Visual Communication (1994); Foundations and Methods of Industrial Design (1995); Modelling and simulation of mechanical systems (1996), Robotics (1997) He also lectured in Bioengineering: Modelling and simulation of mechanical systems (1992, 1993). Now Professor of Progettazione Innovativa di Robot Intelligenti e di Sistemi Autonomi from 2006-2007, Politecnico di Milano, Laurea Specialistica, also in internet Professor of the Course of Robotica Spaziale from 2005-6, for Ph.Students of Politecnico di Milano, also in Internet Profe4ssor of Course in Space Robotics at Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics , from 2006-7, also in Internet Activities Activities in executive Charges. - Executive Councillor of the International Federation for Theory of Machines and Mechanisms (IFToMM) The Federation collects 51 Countries of the world and is one of the most important and meaningful in the field of the mechanics of the mechanical systems. - President of the International Committee in within Uita-Unesco for Advanced Technologies UITA-Unesco proposes technological actions in the underdeveloped Nations. The committee acts to world-wide level, inside the activity of the United Nations. - Member of the B6/2 Committee of the ITU (International Telecommunication Union), Agency of the UN (United Nations) ITU is the Agency of the United Nations that defines the norms for the telecommunications. With it has developed the Project of the United Nations: Telehealth in Africa - Past President of SINT (International Society of Theoretical Neurobiology) (1993-1997) SINT, headed from 1991 to the 1993 from Prof. John Eccles, Prize Nobel for the medicine, has promoted the study of the neurosciences in Italy. Chairman of the World Conference of Theory of Machines and Mechanisms For the International Federation IFToMM, Milan, 1995 the Conference has been the most significant scientific event of Mechanics of Mechanisms in 1995; in Milan have been collected the most important scientists of the world in the field of the Mechanics of Mechanisms . Journal, television and radio communications have dedicated great interest to the event. - Coordinator of the European Workshop: Detection and Multimodal Analysis of Brain Weak Signals to Study Brain Function and Disease, 1997 The workshop was requested from the Scientific Commission European of European Union in order to collect the most important European scientists of the neurosciences and to collect their ideas for the next European work plan of research - Member of the Technical Committees of IFAC (International Federation for Automatic Control), Committee for Advances in Manufacturing Technology and Committee for Advanced Control IFAC is a prestigious world-wide Association in the field of the controls. - Member of the International Commission for the General Affairs of the IEEE (Institution of Electric and Electronic Engineers) IEEE is a prestigious and important association of electronic electrical engineers. The members of the commission are 40, chosen between 300.000. - Coordinator of the Polytechnic of Milan of the Pilot Project of European Community ECTS (the 1998-1998) and of Project TEMPUS towards the Countries of the European East (1992-1998) The Pilot Project ECTS is developed for ten years, until arriving to the bases of today ordering of credits and degrees, adopted in Italy like in Europe. - Member of the Committee of Validation of the job of bank-giving for Italian Collective Contract of metal worker and mechanics workers Member of the Scientific Committee of International reviews - President of Commission Micro mechanisms of IFToMM Co-President of the International Committee "Uomo - macchina" (Man - Machine) of IFToMM (International Federation for Theory of Machines and Mechanisms) - 2001 – Nomination as IEEE Member of International Committee for IEEE Policy 2005 – Nomination as IEEE Robotics and Automation Member in Award determination and assignment Committee Member of Scientific Committee of many journals 2006 – Member of Steering Committee of AME Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China 2000- 2008 Coordinator Programme INFOPOVERTY (dal 2001) with Nazioni Unite, Parlamento Europeo, UNESCO, OCCAM, Politecnico di Milano, Università Cattolica, Università Oklahoma PROJECTS MANAGEMENT INTERNET PROJECT Responsible of the management of the Project “Network for Rare Tumours” with the Institute of Tumours, Scientific Center and Hospital, Milan, Italy, with an international working network by Internet TEMPUS PROJECT The Department of Mechanics was operating in Tempus Project, during 1993-1996, for the development of the project: Multimediality for Mechanics Teaching in Bulgaria, Hungary. The results have been distributed inside these countries in cooperation with Nottingham University, U.K. The project has allowed to obtain all the mechanics explored and present by multimedial actions. The project has been adopted in the Universities of East Countries above indicated. Prof. Rovetta was the responsible of the Project. ECTS European Credit Transfer system has been developed in Politecnico di Milano, for the exchange of students in Europe, and a Pilot Project. Prof. Rovetta has been scientific reference and coordinator from 1989 to 1996, and the result were adopted also in Italy, after that “credits” are now a common word and merit value in the University reform. ECTS has connected more than 35 Universities and Fachhochschule in Europe, in the mechanical field Also the leadership and the management of the ECTS Project in the European Union activity was held in Politecnico di Milano towards EU by Prof. A. Rovetta, as a pilot project for the exchange of students in Europe. It was a great success of cooperation inside all the European Countries and the results are now applied in all Europe for undergraduate students exchange. EMERGENCY NETWORK Management of the Proposal presented to Senato della Repubblica Italiana (Italian Parliament), Health Commission, for Health Emergency Network (118), February 2001, XIII Legislatura, Rome, published in Official Acts TELEHEALTH IN AFRICA Full management and organization of the Project “Telehealth in Africa”, as President of UNESCO Committee of New Technologies, with United Nations, and international companies, for telemedicine between Europe and Africa, in 1996, with teleconferences and teaching by ISDN to European and African medical doctors and students for a special workshop on telehealth with medical applications in front of the African Conference on Telecommunications in United Nations organization ; TELESURGERY BETWEEN EUROPE AND USA Management of Project “Telesurgery between Europe and USA” with USA in cooperation with NASA and JPL (Dr. A. Bejczy) for the application of telerobotics on surgery with transatlantic remote control of surgical machines, for the first experiment with results in the world on 1993 and teaching and training on results with University of South California (Prof. G. Bekey); ROBOTICS Management of Projects in Italian National Council of Research, and in Project on Robotics, with the management and the dissemination of results, inside the organization and for the validation of results of the project; MECHATRONICS Vrepar Project, in European Union projects, for the health control by mechatronic systems, as Responsible of the Unit of Politecnico di Milano; NANO AND MICROTECHNOLOGIES Daphne Project, in European Union, for the neuromotor diseases analysis and with the application of a methodology for the brain control with special devices, as Responsible of the Unit of Politecnico di Milano. CHINA COOPERATION Responsible of the management of the Project “Telecontrol and biorobotics” with Jiao Tong Shanghai University, China, Prof. Ma Dengzhe, under Ministries of Foreign Affairs of China and Italy, from 1999 to 2001 and from 2002 to 2004 Scientific achievements Some scientific realizations. 1973: design of an elastic innovative system for telephone (with Prof. Emilio Massa) 1974: design of a vibrating system for sand transportation 1976: design of a rotary engine 1977: multifunctional robotic hand (between first in the world) 1982: Gilberto robot with vocal control and vision with microprocessor (one of the first in the world) 1984: first mechatronic lower limb prosthesis 1986: Project of new industrial system for the production of ice creams and foods 1988 : innovative management with industrial automation of the quality in alimentary systems 1992: telerobotics via telephone line, the first of its kind in the world 1993: 7 July: first transatlantic surgical telerobotics experiment conducted with JPL for telesurgery on a dummy 1994: Friend robot for space recovery in collaboration with the Italian Space Agency 1995: robotic and telerobotic surgical operation on a human patient in collaboration with the Policlinico di Milano 1996: Michelangelo dummy with microrobotics for heart surgery simulation 1996: creation of Telehealth in Africa in collaboration with ITU,UN 1996: instantaneous design of an engine with Alfa Romeo Race Team 1997: connection from Monterey to Milan for the control of a robotic hand, a robot, a small car 1997: Chairman and Responsible of a Workshop in European Union for “Detection of weak signals in the brain 1999: Responsible of European Project on Disease detection 1999: beginning of spatialisation of a space robot for Italian Agency Space (ASI) 2000: telecontrol at distance of a bionic prosthesis in phase of set up 2000: Development of Project with Chinese Jiao Tong Shanghai University for telerobotics 2001: Presentation in Japan of the projects on Microrobotics 2001: realization of system of logical recording in Internet of keywords (key-magic) 1999 Daphne project – Device for analysis of health and neuromotor efficiency, “Nano and microtechnologies Daphne Project, in European Union, for the neuromotor diseases analysis and with the application of a methodology for the brain control with special devices”, from 1999 to May 2002 2000: telecontrol of bionic leg 2000: Dynamics of chariots of Aegypt Pharaon Tut Anck Amun 2001: Logic storage of web sites (key-magic) 2001: : Development of the European project DAPHNE for the realization of system of control neuromotorio, with STM, Philips, University of the Studies in Milan, Jump design 2001 Net called of emergency 118. Management of the proposal introduced to the Senate of the Italian (Italian Parliament) Republic, Committee Sanità, for Net of Emergency for the Health (118), February 2001, on invitation of the Office of the Health, 2002: Ladyfly project 2003: European PSYCAR project 2004: DeeDee Project 2005: NOROS project 2006: Cirano Project 2007: Cleanwings Project 2008: Wastenergy project Applicative projects. - Member of the Pre-Feasibility Committee for the Finalized CNR (Italian National Council of Research) Project titled: "Application of robotics and telematics in biomedicine and surgery" and of the Committee for the Strategic CNR Project: "Robotics in Surgery" Member of the Committee of Pre-Feasibility of the Finalized Project of the National Research Council titled “Robotics” Member of the Commission of Feasibility and Prefeasibility of the Finalized Project Robotics of the CNR (Committee and National Research Council), and Member of the Customers for the Finalized Project Robotics of the CNR. Responsible for the Day of Robotics at Polytechnic of Milan on 1 December 1986 under the auspices of the CNR; Responsible for the CNR in the Exposition of Milan of the Day of the Robotics; Responsible in 1986 of the National Convention of Robotics; Responsible in 1991 of the Day of Study: The Robotics in Aid to the Disable People; in 1993, Coordinator of the First International Meeting on the Theoretical Neurobiology. Responsible of researches funded from the CNR with contracts and with contributions from 1976 Responsible of researches in the Projects 1, Energetic 2, Mechanical Technologies, Finalized Project Robotics, Project of Technological Transfer Finalizes to Energetics. - Responsible of researches with grants with the Space Italian Agency (ASI) Responsible of the Course of Permanent Instruction of "Applications of Robotics" and "Mechanics of the robots" from 1985-86 and of "Emergency in the robotics" in 1993 to the Polytechnic of Milan - Politecnico for St. Petersburg Responsible of the cooperation with St. Petersburg in the field of the twin cities Milan- St. Petersburg, with a seminary in St. Petersburg in 1997 with the cooperation of Pirelli, Alfa Romeo on the application of methodologies of production increase; meetings and cooperation. Cooperation with the Academy of Sciences of Soviet Union and of Russia from 1980, with visits in Italy and meetings for the promotion of cooperation Visit in Moscow and in St. Petersburg with the Rector of Politecnico di Milano Prof. Arrigo Vallatta, 1986, for the development of cooperation Particular notes The Scientists Award of the Japanese Government in the 1987 for collaboration with Laboratory MEL, in Tsukuba Science City. First Italian who been invited by Japanese Government for the Technologies In 1998 to the Palace of the United Nations in Geneva during the General assembly of ITU, special mention to the Project Uita- Unesco "Telehealth in Africa" (Telesalute in Africa) coordinated from Prof. Rovetta In 2001 honour guest of Institute of Technology of Tokyo for microrobotics In 2002 invited guest for the Jubilee of Academician K. Frolov in Moscow for state of art of Mechanics Scientific Committees He has sat on the Scientific Committees of numerous international Conventions, including: - NATO Workshop on Redundant Robots, Salo', June 1988 - Recent Advances in Robot Kinematics, Lubiana Sept. '88 - IEEE International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems, Tokyo, October 1988 - National Siri Congress, March 1988 - Scientific Committee for the Convention: NASA Conference on Telerobotics in Space, Pasadena, California, January 1989 - International Scientific Committee for the Convention: Intelligent Robots, Tsukuba Science City, September 1989 - IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, Nice 1992 - IROS '92 - Raleigh, USA, 1992 - International Symposium on Intelligent Robots, Yokohama, July 1993 Control Systems, Budapest, July 1993 and many others He was also appointed President of the World IFToMM Congress, Milan 1995. Now he is member of many scientific Committees for Congresses and Workshops. Conferences and Seminars He has made part of the Scientific Committees of numerous international Conventions, between which: NATO Workshop on Redundant Robots, Salo’, Italy, June 1988 Recent Advances in Robot Kinematics, Lubiana, Sept. 88 IEEE International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems, Tokyo, Oct. 1988 National Conference Siri, March 1988 Scientific Committee of the Convention: NASA Conference on Telerobotics in Space, Pasadena, California, January 1989 International Scientific Committee of the Convention: Intelligent Robots, Tsukuba Science City, September 1989 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, Nice, France, 1992 IROS ' 92, Raleigh, USA, 1992 - International Symposium on Intelligent Robots, Yokohama, July 1993 - Control Systems, Budapest, scientific Committee of RAAD 200o, Wien 2000 Scientific Committee IEEE, 2001, Seoul, Korea 2001 Scientific Committee of many other conferences, which directory would be too much along and the many others. He is Member of the New York Academy of Sciences, Member of Accademia of Science and Lettere of Brescia, Member of ASME, IEEE, IFAC, etc. Prof. Rovetta has been invited to Conferences and Seminars at: - JPL, California Institute of technology, March 1983 - University of South California, March 1983 - Soviet Union Science Academy, Inst. for the Theory of Machines and Mechanisms, Moscow, December 1982 - Soviet Union Science Academy, Institute of Informatics and Automatics, Leningrad, Sept. 1987 - MITI, Mechanical Engineering Laboratory, Tsukuba Science City Japan, August 1987 - Waseda University, Tokyo, September 1985 - General Lecture at the World Convention on the Theory of Machines and Mechanisms, Seville, September 1987 - General introduction to the Slovenian Convention on Robotics, April 1987 - Politecnico di Kaunas, Lithuania, September 1988 - National Jugoslav Convention on Robotics, Gled, June 1987 - Bulgarian Science Academy, Institute of Cybernetics, September 1984 - Thesis Discussion on biomechanics, Department of Biomechanics, MIT, Cambridge USA, March 1983 - Seminar for Italo-Czechoslovakian co-operation, Prague, Brno, March 1988 - General lecture to celebrate the centenary of the University of Ritsumejkan, Kyoto, July 1990; - General Lecture at the World Convention on sensors and control in robots, ISCMR '92, Tsukuba Science City, November 1992; Conference in the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Astronautics, 1992; and many others up to now from 1992 Actions and International Cooperations Invited at BUAA Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, for international cooperation in 2004-2005-2006-32007-2008 Plenary Lecture in RAAD, Wien, Austria, 2001, titled : New trends in robotics Management of Project “Telecontrol and biorobotics” with Jiao Tong Shanghai University, China, Prof. Ma Dengzhe, Invited at Japan Festa 2001 on Robotics, as Special Guest and Leader on Robotics in 2001 September Award from European Space Agency for Student Contest on Space Robotics , as Ladyfly Space Robot Coordinator, 8 September 2003 Infopoverty World Conference, sponsored from United Nations, European Union, Unesco, as Coordinator and Chairman, 2000-2008 Conference: Etica estetica e spiritualità nella progettazione, Politecnico di Milano, 12 Apri 2005, Plenary Lecture in RoManSY 2004, Montreal, Canada, titled : Robotics on space And many others He has been guest many times of Academy of Sciences of Poland; Czechoslovakia; Russia; China; DAR%PA; JPL-NASA; COPPE Brasil; etc . Publications Prof. Rovetta has published more than 400 articles in Italian and International journals. He has also presented a number of papers at Italian and International Congresses. Some of his papers have been published in the books of the MEL and MITI laboratories in Japan and in those of MIT, Boston, USA. Author of the following books: Esercitazioni di Meccanica Applicata, 1972 (Ist. di Meccanica, Politecnico di Milano) A. Rovetta - E. Turci, Robots senza miti (Robots without myths), Publisher Clup, 1987 A. Rovetta - Robotica, Publisher Hoepli, 1990 A. Rovetta - Elementi di sistemi meccanici (Elements of mechanical systems), published by Clup, 1984 Rovetta - Elementi di Macchine con disegno, (Publisher. Clup, 1997) Rovetta, [email protected], Ed. Esculapio, 2000 Rovetta, Methods of Design, Ed. Clup, 1994 A. Rovetta, Communication and design, Ed. Cusl, 1994 A. Rovetta, Safety in robotics, 1995 A. Rovetta- Elementi di Macchine con disegno, Ed. Clup, 1977 A. Rovetta - Robotica, Ed. Hoepli, 1990 A. Rovetta – Mechanics – Progetto e testo multimediale per la Comunità Europea , con dischetti, da CUSL, 1995 A. Rovetta, Design e multimedialità, Ed. Cusl A. Rovetta , [email protected], Ed. Esculapio, 2000 A. Rovetta, Robotica, Manuale dell’Ingegnere, Nuovo Colombo, Vol. II, Voce “Robotica”, Cap. 12, pag.F527-F596 , 84a Edizione, Ed. Hoepli, 2003 A. Rovetta, Robotica, Ed. Hoepli, 2005 A. Rovetta, Design methodologies for a colony of autonomous space robot explorers, in: Intelligent robots for Space, NASA-JPL, Ed. Tunstel, 2006 Sito Internet : http://robotica.mecc.polimi.it Patents Prof. Rovetta has obtained numerous international and national patents on: - lower limb prosthesis - mechanical hand for robots (in conjunction with Alfa Romeo) - multi-use robot (with Alfa Romeo) - honing machine for printing cylinders - gamma ray recognition system - rotary engine of the trochoidal type robotic dummy for heart surgery, - sensor for prosthesis of lower limb - system Daphne and Vrepar for the neuromotor analysis for Parkinson disease (with ST Microelectronics) robot with voice control robot Gilberto for vocal and visual control - intelligent system of refuses collection - DeeDee system for analysis of the control neuromotor - intelligent system for the sensorization of containers for the disposal refuses - system of taking robotics and maintenance for nuclear reactor - prosthesis of inferior limb with intelligent control and many others - etc. He has collaborated and continues to collaborate with national and international research centres in accordance with protocol and operative agreements Study and research developed themes Dynamics of mechanical systems Dynamics of rotating motors. Cable dynamics Study and design of piston rings CAD/CAM applications for systems development Machine vibrations Rheology of sandy and granular materials Design of plastic sliding measurement systems Robot hands. Kinematics and dynamics of robots Experts systems for component assembly Redundant robots. Voice control for robots. Dynamic Integration of robot control and vision. Design of fuse mechanisms Functional analysis of biomechanical processes Use of transputer for viewing systems Application of automatic systems in the manufacturing industry Telerobotics in space On-line food production with a high innovative content Sensors and instruments for on-line quality control Refraction index measuring systems for liquids Design of extremely light innovative presses Development of automatic systems for colour change in printing machines Design of new innovative lines for foodstuffs Robot for the construction of artificial bone in biomaterials Space robots Innovative systems for the analysis in neurobiology. Emergency of the robots Neurobiology and robotics Virtual reality in telerobotics Surgical robotics Telecommunications for the health Projects of multimediality Multimedia systems for the health and the telehealth Systems integrated for the space robotics Study of multifunctional teaching Bionic prosthesis with new sensors Telecommunication and teleconsulting with sharing of the communication Modelisation of space systems: cinematic analysis and dynamics Design of pressed automatic without foundation Design of systems for the measure of the acidity of alimentary liquids Systems for the production of ice creams Systems for the automated production of food Systems of industrial automation and robotics Nanotechnologies in lower limb prosthesis Systems for detection of diseases to neuromotor control Sensors for the space Robot for the surgery of the breast Robot for the marrow explantation Robot for the surgery of the liver Telecommunication with systems Internet and Isdn System software for the intelligent recording in Internet System of remote control via Internet of a robot Didactic museum in multimedia shape Design of engines for race Study on dynamics and functionality of the chariots of the Egyptian Pharaoh Tut Anck Amun Disposal refuses with sensorization of the containers. Sensorization of containers for disposal you refuse. Control system for neuromotorio in condition of assumption of alcohol and drug. With use of legs + wheels robot biscuit for exploration of Moon Robot for planetary exploration in the extraterrestrial grounds. Robot for grasping recovery of orbiting objects

A graduate of the University of São Paulo, Doctor of Science from the Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Postdoctoral Fellowship in Column Harvard Medical School Director of the Spine Center HCor, League Clinic of Acupuncture coordinator of the Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Coordinator of Clinical Research of Acupuncture League Medical School, University of São Paulo, Coordinator of Elective Course "Treatment of Chronic Pain - Treatment Minimally Invasive Spine" taught at the Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo

Erkan Kaptanoğlu graduated from Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine in 1990. He gained his expertise whilst completing his residency in Neurosurgery at Ankara Numune Hospital in 1997. Erkan Kaptanoğlu worked with Prof. Dr. Charles Tatoras a research fellow at the University of Toronto for a period of one year from 1998-1999 on "spinal cord injury and regeneration". Erkan Kaptanoğlu won many awards on spinal cord injury research. Erkan Kaptanoğlu was elected to be the Head of the Committee of Young Neurosurgeons of Turkish Neurosurgery Association between 2002 - 2003. He was elected to the Board of Turkish Neurosurgery Spine and Peripheral Nerve Surgery Group between 2003 - 2009. He worked as an assistant editor of the Turkish Journal of Neurosurgery in 2001 - 2006. He completed the Doctorate Program in Advanced Neurological Sciences in Hacettepe University Institute of Health Sciences in 2005. He was promoted as Doctor of Science by completing a doctorate (PhD). He worked in the Department of Neurosurgery in Ankara Numune Hospital until 2010. Currently,Erkan Kaptanoğlu is serving as Head of the Department of Neurosurgery at the School of Medicine, Near East University in North Cyprus, since 2010.

Massimo Scerrati was born on January 4, 1948. He received neurosurgical training under the guide of Professor Gianfranco Rossi at the Institute of Neurosurgery of the Catholic University of Rome, where he has been active as Resident (1972-1976), Assistant Professor (until 1987), Associate Professor and Chairman of the Service and Section of Neurotraumatology (until 2002). Since 2002, Professor of Neurosurgery and Chairman of the Neurosurgical Department and School at the Polytechnic University of Marche in Ancona. Fellow of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation at the Department of Stereotactic Surgery, Freiburg (Germany, April 1978 - March 1979), under the guide of Professor Fritz Mundinger.

Mohamed Abdulhamid is a neurosurgeon in Phoenix, Arizona and is affiliated with John C. Lincoln North Mountain Hospital. He received his medical degree from University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and has been in practice for 10 years. He is one of 6 doctors at John C. Lincoln North Mountain Hospital who specialize in Neurological Surgery.

Dr. Rostyslav V Bubnov, has received his MD in Horbachevsky Ternopil State Medical University (Ukraine) during the period of 1994-2000, and his PhD in Kharkiv Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education during the period of 2009-2012. Currently, he is working as a medical doctor in the Clinical Hospital ‘Pheophania’ of State Affairs Department, researcher in the Interferon Department of Zabolotny Institute of Microbiology and Virology, NAS of Ukraine. He also holds positions of Professor in MVClinic, Madrid, and corresponding member of Ukrainian Academy of Information. He is successfully completing his administrative responsibilities as National Representative of the European Association for Predictive, Preventive and Personalized Medicine (EPMA) in Ukraine. His research has included integrated extensive expertise in bio/medical fields and healthcare within concept of Predictive, Preventive and Personalized Medicine. His research interests cover the issues in radiology, ultrasound guided interventions; cancer; gastroentrerology; cardiology; nanomedicine; pain, muscle, nerve physiology, trigger points therapy; surgery; integrative medicine; theranostics; drug delivery; immunology; probiotics; ultrasound in biomedical experiment. The most valuable scientific contribution has been acknowledged in the fields of radiology, ultrasound, musculoskeletal imaging, trigger points ultrasound visualization in neurology, pain medicine; bioinformatics, animal and mathematical modeling (fractal analysis of radiology images, stochastics); nanonedicine (study of bioeffects of nanoparticles of gold and nanoceria), sonoporation, etc.He is serving as an editorial member of several reputed journals like The EPMA Journal; World Journal of Hepatology; Nanodrugs; International Journal of Diagnostic Imaging; International Journal of Cardiology and Research (IJCRR) & expert Reviewers for journals like Small, Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine; OMICS journals, Austin Journal of Clinical Medicine; Asian Biomedicine, etc. He is founder and the Editor in Chief of Journal of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound (JMUS). He has authored and co-authored over 200 paper (including National), 8 monographs, 15 UA patents

General practitioner in the Emergency Room of Rijeka Clinical Hospital and in the National Army. Resident in General Surgery focused on the surgical approaches and principles of reconstructive procedures. Resident in General Neurosurgery concentrated on trauma, spine and peripheral nerves. Set up Neurosurgical Service in General Hospital Marinespital MDCCCLXI Pula. Fellow of Spinal Team of the Clinical Hospital for Traumatology. At the present time working in the greatest Croatian Neurosurgical Department at the University of Zagreb Medical School. Taking care of spinal and peripheral nerve cases, sometimes as "the last court of appeal".

He started medical training at Gülhane Military Medical Academy. I graduated from this school in 1994 as a medical doctor. In 1997, I started orthopedics and traumatology residency training and graduated in 2001 as a specialist doctor from Gülhane Military Medical Academy Orthopedics and Traumatology Clinic. I worked for 14 years in different military hospitals in Turkey as an Orthopaedics and Traumatology specialist.He has been working since 2012 as head doctor at the Agri Military Hospital.

Deniz Ufuk Erbulut was born May 21, 1978 in Ankara, TurkeyDoctor of Philosophy, University Melbourne, 2009; Certified in engineering, Swinburne University, 2005. Postdoc. researcher Koc University, Istanbul, Turkey, since 2009.

Senior Consultant Orthopedic and Spine Surgeon, Chief of Spine Service at the Armed Forces Hospital in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman Program Director of the Orthopedics Residency Program at the Oman Medical Specialties Board (OMSB)Chairman of the AOSpine Gulf Muscat, Oman

to be updated soon..

To be updated soon...

Dr. Hamid R. Abbasi is currently the president at Tristate Brain and Spine institute, Midwest Brain and Spine Center.His RESEARCH ACTIVITIES include: Minimally invasive spine surgery / OLLIF Extensive work in Area of minimally invasive surgery with must reported experience in OLLIF nationally and internationally.

Dr. V. Reggie Edgerton has been the Director of UCLA’s Edgerton Lab since 1968 and is a professor in the Department of Physiological Sciences at UCLA. His research is focused on neural control of movement and how this neural control adapts to altered use and after spinal cord injury. He completed his PhD under the direction of Drs. Wayne Van Huss, Rex Carrow, and William Heusner at Michigan State University. Dr. Edgerton is on the Scientific Advisory Board of the Christopher Reeve Foundation (CRF), and his is one of eight labs in the world receiving funding from the CRF.

Burak Ozgur, MD is a neurosurgeon specializing in minimally invasive spine surgery and directs the Spine Program at Hoag. Dr. Ozgur is double board-certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery and the American Board of Spine Surgery. He received his undergraduate degree in biological sciences from the University of California, Irvine (UCI) and attended medical school at the University of Vermont, College of Medicine. Dr. Ozgur completed his neurosurgery residency, as well as a combined orthopedic surgeryneurosurgery spine fellowship, at the University of California, San Diego Medical Center. Dr. Ozgur also serves as the director of the D.I.S.C. Sports and Spine Center in Newport Beach and is on staff both at Hoag Hospital and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. He specializes in minimally invasive surgical techniques for common degenerative and complex disorders of the spine including tumors, scoliosis, and trauma. Dr. Ozgur also has a strong interest in stem cell research, spinal biomechanics, and innovative minimally invasive spine surgery development and research. Dr. Ozgur has authored over 25 articles in peer-reviewed publications, has made over 90 presentations at various venues, has written nine book chapters, and recently published a surgical textbook, Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery: A Practical Guide to Anatomy and Techniques in 2009. Dr. Ozgur is also a member of the Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, AANS/CNS Spine Section, Society of Lateral Access Surgery, American Academy of Spine Physicians, and the North American Spine Society.

Akhil Jay Khanna, MD, MBA, is division chief of Johns Hopkins Orthopaedic and Spine Surgery in the National Capital Region and his practice is based in Bethesda, Md. He also serves as vice chairman of professional development in the department of orthopedic surgery at Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins University. Additionally, he is a professor of orthopedic surgery and biomedical engineering at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Dr. Khanna's clinical interests include the treatment of cervical and lumbar degenerative pathologies, spinal deformities and fractures using both conventional and minimally invasive surgical techniques. He is a member of the North American Spine Society and chairperson of the NASS Radiology Section. He is also a member of American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and AO North America. He teaches and directs several CME courses for spine surgeons through NASS, AAOS and other societies. Dr. Khanna is an avid inventor has holds several patents. He has served as the principal investigator for numerous studies and has been actively involved in National Institutes of Health-funded studies. He has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters, and he serves as the associate editor of The Spine Journal and as an editorial board member of SpineLine. He has also edited two well-regarded textbooks, "MRI Essentials for the Spine Specialist" and "MRI for Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Dr. Morreale joined the CSO team in September 2009. He has received his medical education from Jefferson Medical College, and has completed his spine fellowship at Yale University, in New Haven, Connecticut. Dr. Morreale has advanced training and expertise in degenerative disease in the cervical and lumbar spine. Dr Morreale is the newest member of the CSD team, arriving September 2009. Dr. Joseph Morreale is an Orthopedic Surgeon with Center for Spinal Disorders.

Dr. Vedat Deviren is Professor at UCSF Medical Center Spine Center. As an Academic Faculty member he has maintained a passionate commitment to patient care. Dr Deviren as a spine surgeon specializes in the treatment of spinal disorders for both children and adults. This expertise allows him to have wide range of experience on difficult cases, which include cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine, including spinal deformities such as adult scoliosis, spondylolisthesis, failed back surgeries and tumors. He well published in innovated spine surgery and transpedicular approach to previously unresectable cervical and cervical thoracic tumors. Renowned speaker at national and international conferences, speaking on topics including measurement of outcomes in spine surgery, evaluation and management of spinal disorders, minimally invasive options, and advanced techniques in spine surgery. Working to improve the educational value for resident, interns and fellows is one of Dr Deviren passions in addition to his desire to contribute to crossing geographical barriers to improve the expertise and skill level of other countries. He strives to impart his knowledge, innovation and guidance as a member of the UCSF Faculty both here and aboard. As Co-chair of the UCSF Practical Course in Advanced Spinal Techniques, Committee Chair of the UCSF Medical Center Chair for the Spine Service Patient Satisfaction and Acute Care Team Spine Center he uses his experiences and expertise to improve spine outcomes. These activities have provided an excellent opportunity for one-on-one collaboration and knowledge exchange which promotes UCSF’s mission of advancing health care worldwide.

James D. Schwender has done his education in Medical school State University of New York; Internship in surgery; University of Vermont;Residency in orthopaedic surgery; University of Vermont; Spine fellowship, Twin Cities Spine Center.His Awards, Honors, Societies include: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Fellow Scoliosis Research Society, Fellow Alpha Omega Alpha; North American Spine Society, Member American Orthopaedic Association (AOA), Member 2008 Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Vice President 1st Elect.

Jack L. Feldman is a Distinguished Professor, and a Member of Brain Research Institute,Molecular; Cellular & Integrative Physiology ; Neuroscience. He is from Brooklyn and currently residing in Los Angeles, California.

Jean Jacques Wyndaele graduated as Bachelor Medical Sciences, Doctor in Medical Sciences-Surgery and Obstetrics, Specialist in Urology, PhD in Biomedical Science, Specialist in Rehabilitation, Second PhD in Urology. Till his retirement in 2014, he worked as Full time Ordinary Professor and Chairman of Urology at University Antwerp (UA) and Antwerp University Hospital (UZA). He was the chair of the Animal and Clinical Research Lab of the Urological Department UA and UZA. He promoted 14 PhD Thesis’s and these doctors are working in different continents around the world. He is Editor in Chief of the journals Spinal Cord and Spinal Cord Series&Cases and is the actual president of the International Spinal Cord Society. He is Fellow of the International Spinal Cord Society and of the European Board of Urology. He is member of many major international scientific groups. He is the actual chair of ESSIC, the International organisation for study of bladder pain syndrome. He is author of 404 publications in peer reviewed international and national journals, 88 editorials and 30 chapters in books. He has been awarded several national and international prices.

Walid Attia was born in November 8th 1969 and currently he is Consultant Neurosurgery/ Spine surgery Director; Spine Fellowship Program Departments of Neurosurgery/ Spine Surgery National Neuroscience Institute King Fahad Medical City. He is a Recipient of the Outstanding Graduation award (top 30 graduates) in the Republic High School Diploma examination, the Egyptian Ministry of Education. 1986 Recipient of the Outstanding Graduation award and Honors, Tanta University Faculty of Medicine (4th on class of 320 graduates) 1992

Mohamed Abdulhamid is a neurosurgeon in Phoenix, Arizona and is affiliated with John C. Lincoln North Mountain Hospital. He received his medical degree from University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and has been in practice for 10 years. He is one of 6 doctors at John C. Lincoln North Mountain Hospital who specialize in Neurological Surgery.

Tiziana Greggi has a Degree in Medicine and Surgery from the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Bologna, Italy Diploma of specialization in Orthopaedics at the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Bologna Diploma of specialization in Biomedical Technology at the same Faculty December 9th 2014 has been appointed “deputy director” of Orthopedic and Trauma Specialist Department Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute

Massimiliano VISOCCHI is Associate Professor in Neurosurgery at the Catholic University of Rome Italy and Visiting Professor at the Shanghai University (China) since 2012. Director of the Special Course and the Second degree level Master in Surgery of CranioVertebral Junction at the Catholic University of Rome Italy. Founder of the Research Center in Surgery of CranioVertebral Junction Catholic University of Rome Italy. President of the International Societies of Reconstructive Neurosurgery (ISRN), former President of 2National Scientific Societies (SINSEC: Società Italiana di Neurosonologia ed Emodinamica Cerebrale- Gruppo di Studio di Emodinamica Cerebrale della Società Italiana di Neurochirurgia). Member of 13 International and 9 National Scientific Societies. Member of the Board of 2 National and 2 International Societies. Chairman, Board Organizing Committee Member and Invited Speaker in more than 120 International and National Courses and Congresses. Author of more than 300 papers, Author of 4 monographic books and Editor of 3 Monographic Issues of Indexed Peer Reviewed Journals. Member of Continuing Educational Committee (ECM) of the Italian Health Ministery. Member of the Editorial Board of 7 International Peer reviewed Indexed Journals and 2 national; Referee of 30 International Indexed Peer Reviewed Journals and 4 nationals. Winner of INS Award 1996 (Orlando Fl USA) on Neuromodulation of Cerebral Blood Flow and of the Shanghai University Award in 2012 on Cranio-Vertebral Junction Surgery.

Cyrus Dokhanian Jensen was born in December 1978, He is currently a LLP Designated Member at LEEDS INTEGRATED ORTHOPAEDICS AND NEUROSURGICAL SERVICES LLP. He is one of the directors at JENSENS LIMITED.

Prof. Majid Reza Farrokhi, now Professor of Neurosurgery, head of Shiraz Neuroscience Research Center, and Dean of Virtual School in Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, completed his Specialty Degree in Neurosurgery in 1996 and Fellowship of Spine Surgery at Innsbruck University in 2004. He has been the Vice President of Iranian Board of Examiners in Neurosurgery since 2012 and hold the position of the Chairman of Neurosurgery Department of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in 2011-2014, Head of Fars and South of Iran AO-Spine Society in 2002-2005, and dean of Medical School, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences in 1996-1998. He has published more than 42 papers in reputed journals and 2 books and led several research projects. His investigations have been focused in spine.

Dr. Radchenko Volodymyr has done his Education from Medical Academy of Dneepropetrovsk (1973-1979) and Specialized in Orthopedics. He has done his Professional Training from Sytenko Institute of Spine (1984-1986), Erlangen,prof.Hohmann, Carlsbad, prof.Harms (1994, 1999). His Grants&merits include SICOT education grant (1994), Ukrainian Government Award (2008), Project manager 2 international reseach program, Honorary professor national Medical University , Donetzk, Ukraine, ISMISS (president 2014-2017). He has 280 publications. His Memberships include International Society of Minimal Invasive Spine Surgery, www.ismiss.com ( president 2014-2017), Ukrainian Orthopedics Society (vice – president), Ukrainian SMISS (president),NASS, AO Spine, EORS, General Secretary of Ukrainian-Germany orthopedics society

Dr. Arvind G Kulkarni heads the ‘Mumbai Spine Scoliosis and Disc Replacement Centre’ as a Consultant Spinal Surgeon at Bombay Hospital, Mumbai, one of the oldest and largest hospitals of India. He has a vast experience in spinal surgery having trained in some of the top spinal centres across the globe such as KEM Hospital Mumbai, National University Hospital Singapore, Westmead Adult & Children’s Hospitals, Australia, St George Hospital – Australia and Toronto Western Hospital & Hospital for Sick Children Canada. He is one of the pioneers of Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery in India (introduced Micro-Endoscopic techniques using the MetrX system for the first time in India in 2007). He is also one of the pioneers of Artificial Disc Replacement (name mentioned in Limca Book of Records for performing the first Artificial Disc Replacement [ProDisc-L] in the country)

Dr. E. Faizo. is a certified licensed Medical Doctor specialized in Neurosurgery and spine surgery practicing in Murnau Hospital south Germany and before that in Munich, He presented in international seminars, media interviews and conferences in Health Care and education. Member of the Advisory boards in many German medical companies. Member of the German and European Neurosurgical Societies. currently working in Functional Neurosurgery in Merheim Hospital Cologne city - Germany.

Biography Prof W S El Masri FRCS Ed; FRCP Clinical Professor of Spinal Injuries - Keele University Consultant Spinal Injuries – Hunters Moor Neurorehabilitation Centre Birmingham Emeritus Consultant Surgeon in Spinal Injuries Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orth.Hospital Trained in the speciality of spinal injuries at Stoke Mandeville, Oxford, Guys Hospitals & the USA between 1971 and 1983 . To date personally treated 10,000 patients with traumatic Spinal and spinal cord Injuries. Developed, and led the Midland Centre for Spinal Injuries (MCSI) between 1983 & 2014. Took responsibility for the management of the injured spine, the multisystem malfunction as well as the range of medical, non-medical and physical effects of cord injury in the acute, subacute, rehabilitation phases as well as in the long term. Lectured worldwide in developed and developing countries. Contributed to the literature with 140 publications. Documented the prognostic indicators of neurological recovery following Traumatic Spinal Cord Injuries. Demonstrated that with simultaneous Active Physiological Conservative Management of the injury and all its medical effects neurological recovery occurs irrespective of the degree of Biomechanical Instability, Canal encroachment or Cord Compression. Introduced the concept of “Physiological Instability of the Injured Spinal Cord” Peer reviewer and on the Editorial Boards of a number of Journals Held the offices of: President of the International Spinal Cord Society, Chairman of the British Association of Spinal Cord Injury Specialists, Executive Member of the British Society of Rehabilitation Medicine . Founder Member and trustee of a number of charities that support Health Care professionals and patients. Raised about six million pounds from charity to rebuild and furnish the MCSI. Advisor to WHO ‘s International Perspectives on Spinal Cord Injury which was published in 2013 Member of the NICE Guideline Developing Group in spinal injuries. Obtained a number of awards including: the Medal of the International Spinal Cord Society, National Hospital Doctor Team Award for Innovation, Outstanding achievement award from the Chinese Society of Spinal Injuries, Outstanding Consultant Achievement award by the Spinal Injury Association, Hon. Presidency of the Romanian Spinal Cord Society and the prestigious Paul Harris Fellowship of the Rotary Club. The concepts discussed, issues raised and facts demonstrated in the presentation can be revisited in a recent publication in the journal “Trauma” which can be found on the following website address: http://journals.sagepub.com/eprint/V9qda2SDWRT7fEMYttqF/full

D Dr. Ralf D. Rothörl has been serving as Deputy Medical Director and as a neurosurgeon at ISAR Klinikum since 2011. He has been Medical Director of the Clinic of Spine Surgery from 2013 onward. Previously he was a practicing neurosurgeon in Munich from 2008, as well as consultant physician and Deputy Medical Director of ISAR Klinikum. From 2006 to 2008 he worked as a senior physician at the neurosurgery clinic of the Technical University of Munich at Klinikum rechts der Isar, and set up functional neurosurgery at this institution. Before this time he practiced for eleven years - finally as senior physician - at the clinic and polyclinic of neurosurgery of the University Clinic of Regensburg, where he also completed his specialist’s training in neurosurgery and his habilitation. PD Dr. Rothörl studied human medicine at Johann-Wolfgang-Goethe University in Frankfurt am Main, and graduated in 1997 at the Ludwig Edinger institute for neuropathology. In the course of his intensive clinical experience and numerous postgraduate courses in the country and abroad - the last of them at Barrow neurological institute in Phoenix, Arizona, PD Dr. Rothörl became skilled in the newest microsurgical methods. He has several years of experience in aneurysm surgery, functional surgery, trauma, neuro-oncology, and surgery of peripheral veins. His current point of focus is spine surgery. PD Dr. Ralf Rothörl has published more than 60 original papers and serves as a reviewer for the following publications: Stroke, Neuroscience Letters, Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery, and the Journal of Neurotrauma. In addition, he lectures regularly at renowned national and international conventions.

Dr. Alessandro Landi is currently affiliated to Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Division of Neurosurgery, "Sapienza" University of Rome - Policlinico Umberto I, Rome, Italy, continuing research in the specialized scientific area of Orthopedics and Orthopedic Surgery. Dr. Alessandro Landi is serving as an honorary reviewer for Journal of Trauma & Treatment & other reputed journals and has authored several articles along with chapters in different books related to Low back pain, Lumbar instability and Spinal Cord Tumor. And consultant of the General Command of the Carabinieri Army of Rome, Editor in Chief Journal of Spine, Editor in Chief Journal of Neurology and Neuroscience, Editor in Chief Journal of Spine and Neurosurgery.

Duccio Boscherini is a fully trained neurosurgeon in Switzerland, USA, Belgium and Italy. He has years of experience in spinal and cranial surgery guided by intraoperative imaging and navigation techniques. In 2008, Dr. Boscherini was the first neurosurgeon to introduce O-arm™ imaging in surgical procedures in Switzerland. Duccio became a medical doctor in 1992, completed his neurosurgical training program in 2000 and pursued a clinical spinal fellowship. He was co-chairman of the neurosurgery unit in Lugano, Switzerland from 2007 to 2011. Dr. Boscherini is currently an associate neurosurgeon at the Clinique de La Source in Lausanne, and consultant neurosurgeon at the University Hospitals of Geneva. He is also a key opinion leader in spinal surgery and a member of several scientific societies in the US and in Europe. Duccio has numerous publications and participates in spine pathologies, biomaterials and computer-assisted surgery research projects.

Oliver Nic Hausmann is currently a neurosurgery consultant in Hirslanden Private Hospital Group, Lucerne, Switzerland. In 1990 Oliver Graduated from School of Medicine, University of Basel / Switzerland | 1991-1998 Resident in Neurosurgery at the University Basel and associated Hospitals followed by Fellowship in Spine Surgery in 1999 at Orthopedic University Clinic Balgrist, Zürich / Switzerland | 2000-2001 ResearchFellow, Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Miami / USA | 2003 Fellowship in Spine Surgery at Wellington Hospital and National Hospital of Neurosurgery, London / GB; 2004 Venia docendi, Medical Faculty of the University Basel; Academic qualification as University Lecturer:‘Neurobiology of Spinal Cord Injury.’ Since 2004 Consultant for Neurosurgery, Hirslanden Klinik St.Anna Lucerne / Switzerland | since 2008 Consultant for Neurosurgery, Klinik Gut, St. Moritz / Switzerland | 2006-2010 Project-Leader on Spinal Cord injury Research, Swiss Paraplegic Center, Nottwil / Switzerland. Professional Memberships in Swiss Association of Neurosurgery (SGNC), President 2016-2018 | Member of the Executive Board in European Neurosurgical Association (EANS) | Swiss Association of Spine Surgery (SGS) | Cervical Spine Research Society, European Section (CSRS). Member of the editorial board of: - European Spine Journal - Central European Neurosurgery

Mr Jwalant S Mehta is a consultant spinal surgeon specialising in spinal deformity corrections and treatment of all spinal conditions. His is based in Birmingham at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital and the Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Additionally, he has practising privileges with the BMI and Spire groups. He serves on major steering committees of the premier international scoliosis organisation, the Scoliosis Research Society. He is currently serving on the CME and the Research Grant review committees, and is a programme reviewer for the IMAST and the annual meetings. He has recently been appointed as an honorary senior lecturer at the Aston University in Birmingham, heading the Spine module on the MCh (Orth) course. He is actively involved with teaching and research. He is a Clinical and Educational supervisor with the Birmingham segment of the West Midlands Trauma and Orthopaedics training programme. He has published extensively in peer reviewed journals and has authored chapters in text-books. He serves on editorial boards and is a reviewer for European Spine Journal, Spine, Spine Deformity Journal, Global Spine Journal and Bone & Joint Journal (formerly JBJS). He graduated from the prestigious G.S. Medical College and the K.E.M. Hospital and has completed his D (Orth) and MS (Orth) from the Mumbai University. He was awarded the MCh (Orth) by the University of Liverpool. He completed the higher surgical training in South East Thames and the Wales Deaneries and was awarded the CCT in 2007. He completed spinal fellowships in Bristol and Columbia, Missouri, USA. He has been a full time spinal surgeon since 2009. Though his practice focuses on adult and children spinal deformities, he treats all spinal conditions.

Tolgay satana was born in Ankara 1968 and currently doing private Practice in Istanbul and consultant spine surgeon of Universal Hospital group and Jinemed and some universities in Istanbul./ Spinal Fellowship in University of Michigan; Specialised on Deformity spine surgery since 2000 and interested beside Artroscopic surgery/ Well known spine surgeon and arthroscopist in Turkey; Executive Member of IMLAS since 2000/ Secretary of IMLAS Istanbul 2005; Chairman of Turkish Chapter of ISLASS/ Member of Turkish Spine Society; Founder and President of Turkish MISS ; Founder and Coordinator of ISMISS Turkey.

Walid Attia was born in November 8th 1969 and currently he is Consultant Neurosurgery/ Spine surgery Director; Spine Fellowship Program Departments of Neurosurgery/ Spine Surgery National Neuroscience Institute King Fahad Medical City. He is a Recipient of the Outstanding Graduation award (top 30 graduates) in the Republic High School Diploma examination, the Egyptian Ministry of Education. 1986 Recipient of the Outstanding Graduation award and Honors, Tanta University Faculty of Medicine (4th on class of 320 graduates) 1992

EDUCATION Degree University Year Conferred Scientific field B.Sc. Mahidol March 1978 Medical Science M.D. Mahidol March 1980 Medicine Certificate Mahidol March 1983 Clinical Science Diploma Phramongkutklao March 1984 Orthopaedics Medical College Fellowship The Hospital for 1978-1988 Orthapaedics Special Surgery EMPLOYMENT SINCE QUALIFICATION Institution Period Post Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok 1980-1981 Intern Phramongkutklao army Hospital, Bangkok 1981-1984 Resident Dept. of Orthopaedics Knon Kaen University 1984-1991 Assistant Professor Dept. Of Orthopaedics, Army Hospital 1991-2014 Associate Professor Dept. Of Orthopaedics, Army Hospital 2014 - Present Professor HONORABLE POSITIONS 1. Editorial Board of Journal of Asean of Orthopaedic Association. 2. Committee of spinal section of Royal College of Orthopaedic Surgeons of Thailand. 3. Committee of pediatric section of Royal College of Orthopaedic Surgeons of Thailand. 4. Representative International president of TOA in AAOS meeting 1994. 5. The -Chairman of the 3rd Combined meeting of spinal and pediatric section of WPOA Kochi, Japan. 1996 6. Editorial Board of Spine Journal 7. Editorial Board of Asian Spine Journal 8. The Chairman of AOSpine East Asia – Thailand from 2000 to 2012 9. The Advisory Board of Pain Management of Pfizer 2012. 10. The Advisory Board of Pain Management of Eli Lilly 2014 11. The Advisory Board of Pain Management of Menarini 2014 12. The President Elect of Spine Society of Thailand 2015 13. The Board Member of APSS 14. The Board Member of ASMISS 15. Thai FDA Expert Committee since 2015

Bassi is an Orthopedic Consultant at the Orthopedics Department at Doctor Suliman Fakeeh Hospital (DSFH). He is also the Chairman of the Orthopedics Department at DSFH and a committed physician in the area of Spine and Scoliosis, with an extensive clinical knowledge to perform numerous surgical procedures and offer a wide spectrum of advanced care & conservative treatment to patients. Dr. Bassi obtained a Medical Degree in 1996, while attending the Faculty of Medicine at King Khalid University in Abha, Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, Dr. Bassi completed a Fellowship at the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada at McMaster University in Hamilton, Canada in 2007, followed by another Fellowship program in AOSpine and Scoliosis at McGill University in Montreal, Canada in 2009. His scientific acheivements are the following. Fellow, the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada, 2007| Fellows, AO Spine and Scoliosis, McGill University, Montreal, Canada, 2009| Chairman, Orthopedics Department, DSFH, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, since 2012| Program Director, Spine and Scoliosis, AOSpine Foundation, 2013| Course Instructor, Aliphatic, Europe, 2014.

Dr. Arvind G Kulkarni heads the ‘Mumbai Spine Scoliosis and Disc Replacement Centre’ as a Consultant Spinal Surgeon at Bombay Hospital, Mumbai, one of the oldest and largest hospitals of India. He has a vast experience in spinal surgery having trained in some of the top spinal centres across the globe such as KEM Hospital Mumbai, National University Hospital Singapore, Westmead Adult & Children’s Hospitals, Australia, St George Hospital – Australia and Toronto Western Hospital & Hospital for Sick Children Canada. He is one of the pioneers of Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery in India (introduced Micro-Endoscopic techniques using the MetrX system for the first time in India in 2007). He is also one of the pioneers of Artificial Disc Replacement (name mentioned in Limca Book of Records for performing the first Artificial Disc Replacement [ProDisc-L] in the country.He is also the Joint Secretary of MISSI (Minimally Invasive Spine Surgeons of India).Fellowship Officer (AO Spine -India. An Executive Committee Member, Association of Spine Surgeons of India (ASSI)and Editorial Board Member- ASJ, JMISST, ISJ, JClin Orthop. Past Executive Committee Member- Bombay Orthopaedic Society (BOS) and Past - Assistant Editor, Indian Journal of Orthopaedics (IJO)

Dr. Shahaydar Shaalievich Shatursunov MD, PhD is an ISMISS Turkey International Faculty. Graduations: 1978-1984 Medical School, University of Leipzig, Germany 1984-1986 Tashkent Medical University, fellowship. Professional Activities 1986-1993 Scientific assistance in scientif research institute of traumatology and orthopedics of the Tashkent, Uzbekistan. since 1999 Head of the spine surgery department of the Scientific Research Institute of Traumatology ond Orthopedics. Ministry of Public Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan. 1992 Candidate science defense (PhD) in 1992 1998 Doctoral candidacy - Kharkov, scientific research institute of traumatology and orthopedics (Ukraine) in 1998 Publications/Abstracts/Scientific Contributions/Lectures Numerous publications/abstracts/lectures in national and international periodicals/courses/congresses Memberships in Medical Societies Numerous memberships in national and international orthop. and spine related societies